A SHARED stadium for the city’s two football clubs was today killed off for good.

Council leader Warren Bradley resurrected the idea last week when he told the ECHO he would support it.

But in announcing that work would start on the new Anfield in May, Liverpool FC said there was no chance of Everton becoming involved.

A joint statement by the Reds and the city council said that despite “full and frank talks” about stadium sharing, it had “too many unknowns” and would cause “significant delays”, putting the entire redevelopment of Stanley Park and the Anfield area at risk.

Today’s announcement made it clear that Liverpool are fully committed to their own #215m project, despite the ongoing review of the proposal by their new American owners. It says:

Work can start next month on the 60,000-seater stadium, as long as there are no major changes which require fresh planning permission.

A joint venture company between the club and council will be set up by the end of April to oversee the scheme.

Tenders for the restoration of Stanley Park will go out within the next four weeks, with work starting by the end of July and finishing by the end of 2008.

The announcement followed talks over the weekend between Reds owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks and chief executive Rick Parry, and council leader Warren Bradley and regener-ation director John Kelly.

Mr Parry said: “Our new owners have taken the sensible decision to review the plans to enable us to create an even better stadium that will serve the needs of the club and the fans for the next 50 years.

“Already, some exciting ideas are emerging and we are working closely with the council on the best way forward.

“We are all endeavouring to ensure the plans can be implemented as soon as possible.”

Cllr Bradley said: “The final agreements are now almost in place to allow the work to start in a matter of weeks.

“A world-class stadium, fit for a world-class club and a word-class city, is now a real prospect.

“The benefits will reach out much further than football. Our agreement will secure the massive regeneration of the Anfield area and the transformation of Stanley Park.”